Cornell fraternity life is an incredible bargain for members who “live in.” It may seem hard to believe at first, between new member and initiation fees, insurance, and chapter and national dues adding up, but room and board for brothers who live in the house is generally cheaper than a Cornell residence hall, and comparable to Collegetown.
And that's if you ignore the cost of having fun. Your fraternity dues pay for chapter programming—parties and formals, but also brotherhood events, academic assistance, intramural teams, alumni networking, and house amenities like a laser printer, gym, pool table, or even squash courts.
Cost Comparison
Every chapter structures its finances a little differently, and spends its money on different priorities. For the 2025–26 school year, however, it is broadly competitive with other ways of living*:
Cornell IFC Fraternity | Cornell On-Campus | Collegetown Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
Room | $2,100/semester to $11,200/semester | $7,501/semester single | $6,000–9,000/semester |
Board | $2,964 Bear Choice (ten meals/week) | $800–$1800/semester | |
Internet | Free/included | Free/included | $180/semester (Spectrum) |
Other Utilities | Free/included | Free/included | $300/semester |
Laundry* | Free/included | $60/semester ($3.55/load) | $51/semester ($3/load) |
Gym* | Free/included | $105/semester (CFC) | $105/semester (CFC) |
Parking* | Free/included | $376/semester | $600/semester |
Dues | $250 to $3,300/semester | $200/semester (program houses) | N/A |
Total (Semester) | $7,839 (based on median values) | $10,128 – $11,206 | $8,036 – $12,036 |
* Examples for illustrative purposes only; chapter amenities and charges vary widely.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Being a member of a fraternity or living and eating at a fraternity house does not affect your financial aid package, either in how it is calculated or how it is applied to your bursar account. Because university-owned houses can only bill for room through the bursar, and privately-owned houses cannot bill at all through the bursar, you will pay other charges directly, just as you would if living off-campus in an apartment. Depending on your financial aid package, you may need to request a refund check from the bursar.
Every year, the Interfraternity Council offers merit-based scholarships for students who demonstrate the ideals and values of the fraternity system through scholarship, leadership, and service, as well as need-based grants to help defray the cost of new member and initiation fees. Ask your chapter or contact the IFC Vice President of Finance for more information.
Additionally, many chapters and national organizations sponsor their own scholarship programs either through Cornell's Financial Aid Office or through their private foundations. Ask your chapter about opportunities.